ORONO, Maine — Brian Morgan was the overtime hero Friday night as his goal 53 seconds into the extra session lifted Maine to a 6-5 win over Massachusetts at the Alfond Arena.
On the winner, Devin Shore skated the puck up the ice to find Morgan in the right faceoff circle and Morgan slammed home the one-timer just inside the goalpost past UMass goaltender Henry Dill.
“Everyone worked their tails off,” said Maine coach Red Gendron. “UMass is young like we are, but they are a very talented team and when they get a chance, they put it in.”
Malcolm Hayes’ power-play goal gave the Black Bears an early lead 3:58 into the first period. Hayes tapped in the puck after Dill sent the rebound to Hayes’ stick. Cam Brown also scored on a Dill rebound 7:29 later to give Maine a 2-0 lead.
Steven Swavely scored his first of two 1:19 into the second period to give Maine a 3-0 lead.
The Minutemen scored three unanswered goals to tie the score 3-3 before the end of the second.
Dennis Kravchenko scored the first two to begin the rally for UMass, while Ray Pigozzi scored the equalizer on a two-on-one break just minutes later. Frank Vatrano fed the puck to Pigozzi, who converted on the pass.
With 20 seconds left in the period, the Black Bears forced a turnover in the Minutemen zone. Shore wrangled up the puck and scored the wraparound goal to regain the lead for Maine 4-3.
Swavely’s second of the contest improved the lead 5-3.
Patrick Lee pulled UMass within one 6:39 into the third. Troy Power fed the puck to Lee, who delivered the one-timer over Matt Morris’ glove into the back of the net.
The Minutemen’s Mike Busillo tallied the equalizer with 1:55 left in regulation to force overtime. Lee made a drop pass to Busillo, who beat Morris for his first collegiate goal.
